Summary

The Colby Commitment is a scholarship program that Colby Community College provides to high school students in the College’s 14-county service area who qualify for free and reduced lunches, as well as all high school students who reside in, or whose immediate family (parent/legal guardian) owns property in, Thomas County, Kansas. This Scholarship covers the cost of tuition, fees, and textbooks.

*No combination of scholarships or potential tuition waiver may exceed the cost of tuition, fees, or books.

CONTACT
Registrar's Office
Phone: (785) 460-5509
Email: registrar@colbycc.edu 

 

 

What does the Colby Commitment Scholarship cover?

The Scholarship covers the cost of tuition, fees, and textbooks for all high school students in Colby Community College’s 14-county service area who are on free and reduced lunches, as well as all high school students in Thomas County.

How do I know if I qualify for free and reduced lunches?

This must be worked out with the local district’s counselor and administration, as Colby Community College has no direct access to this information. .

What happens if I fail a course?

If a student fails a course, they are liable for all costs associated with the course at the normal Colby Community College high school tuition rate. As a condition of receiving the Colby Commitment Scholarship, a parent/guardian and student must sign an agreement acknowledging this condition prior to receiving the Scholarship.

When must I have all the paperwork turned in to be eligible for the Colby Commitment Scholarship?

All paperwork must be received on or before the third week of classes beginning for the respective semester.

Why does every high school student or family with property in Thomas County, Kansas, qualify for this Scholarship?

The College believes that this Scholarship is critical to acknowledge and reward students who are residents of Thomas County and whose family supports the college as part of the Community College taxing district.

Will I qualify for this Scholarship if I am a high school student outside of Colby Community College’s service area?

No, the Colby Commitment is specifically limited to students who reside in Colby Community College’s 14-county service area.

What is the College’s 14-county service area?

Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Norton, Phillips, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Rooks, Wallace, Logan, Gove, and Trego counties.

How is the College funding the Colby Commitment Scholarship?

This Scholarship is funded through the interest earned on the College’s unrestricted cash.

How long will the Colby Commitment Scholarship last?

The College anticipates the Scholarship continuing indefinitely; however, it is a year-to-year Scholarship largely dependent upon interest rates and institutional cash flow. 

Is there a cap on the number of hours a student can take throughout high school? Are there credit limits for each semester, summer, and Late Fall sessions?

No, there is no limit, but Late Fall courses are not eligible for this program.

Is a student immediately eligible if they just moved to a qualifying high school? What about exchange students?

Yes, if their permanent residency or family (parent/legal guardian) owns property in an eligible county. No, exchange students are not eligible because their permanent residency would not be in one of the 14 counties.

Does this include home-schooled students?

Home-schooled students may be eligible for the Scholarship as long as they are in the College’s 14-county service area; the same applies for students in private schooling.

What if I go to high school outside of Thomas County, Kansas, but my family (parent/legal guardian) owns property in Thomas County, Kansas? Will I qualify for the scholarship for tuition, fees, and textbooks?

If your family (parent/legal guardian) can provide proof of land ownership in Thomas County, Kansas, you would qualify for the Colby Commitment Scholarship.

How do you determine eligibility for home-schooled students or students who attend private schools?

Eligibility will be determined by the family’s adjusted gross income. Eligibility is determined based on the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) income eligibility guidelines for Free and Reduced Meals each year.

Where can I find the current income guidelines?

The income guidelines are provided by KSDE and updated annually. For the 2023–2024 guidelines and current information, please refer to KSDE’s published guidance on reduced-price and free school meals: Kansas State Department of Education Income Eligibility Guidelines .

Is this eligibility verified?

Yes, the College will verify eligibility for home-schooled students and students who attend private schools by utilizing their household size and income from their previous year’s tax documents. Those documents should be submitted to Executive Vice President Nikol Nolan at nikol.nolan@colbycc.edu prior to September 1 each year. If a student is only taking Spring or Summer courses, they must be submitted at the time of enrollment in those courses. Once approved, the scholarship will be available for the entirety of the academic year, but must be renewed annually, as eligibility guidelines change each year.

Will the books be obtained through a specific vendor? Are they purchased or rented?

Any rental or purchase of textbooks must be at the Colby Community College Bookstore. Textbooks purchased outside of this manner will not be eligible for reimbursement.

If I utilize this program, am I eligible for the Accelerated Outreach Scholarship through Colby Community College?

No, because the tuition and fees have already been covered.

Can the Scholarship be awarded retroactively for any courses previously taken from Colby Community College?

No, the Scholarship will be eligible in the spring of 2024 and cannot be retroactively awarded.

Who should I contact at the College for further information?

If you are interested or have questions regarding the Colby Commitment Scholarship, please direct inquiries to:

Registrar's Office
Phone: (785) 460-5509
Email: registrar@colbycc.edu